NAICS 311 - Food Manufacturing

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Key Terms

food manufacturing processed foods livestock products agricultural products food safety HACCP USDA certification bulk food supply military food procurement school meal programs disaster relief food firm-fixed-price contracts IDIQ contracts shelf-stable foods government food contracts

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Related NAICS Codes for NAICS 311

Click on any NAICS code to explore that specific industry within NAICS 311

NAICS Code Industry Title
311111 Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing
311119 Other Animal Food Manufacturing
311211 Flour Milling
311212 Rice Milling
311213 Malt Manufacturing
311221 Wet Corn Milling and Starch Manufacturing
311224 Soybean and Other Oilseed Processing
311225 Fats and Oils Refining and Blending
311230 Breakfast Cereal Manufacturing
311313 Beet Sugar Manufacturing
311314 Cane Sugar Manufacturing
311340 Nonchocolate Confectionery Manufacturing
311351 Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing from Cacao Beans
311352 Confectionery Manufacturing from Purchased Chocolate
311411 Frozen Fruit, Juice, and Vegetable Manufacturing
311412 Frozen Specialty Food Manufacturing
311421 Fruit and Vegetable Canning
311422 Specialty Canning
311423 Dried and Dehydrated Food Manufacturing
311511 Fluid Milk Manufacturing
311512 Creamery Butter Manufacturing
311513 Cheese Manufacturing
311514 Dry, Condensed, and Evaporated Dairy Product Manufacturing
311520 Ice Cream and Frozen Dessert Manufacturing
311611 Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering
311612 Meat Processed from Carcasses
311613 Rendering and Meat Byproduct Processing
311615 Poultry Processing
311710 Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging
311811 Retail Bakeries
311812 Commercial Bakeries
311813 Frozen Cakes, Pies, and Other Pastries Manufacturing
311821 Cookie and Cracker Manufacturing
311824 Dry Pasta, Dough, and Flour Mixes Manufacturing from Purchased Flour
311830 Tortilla Manufacturing
311911 Roasted Nuts and Peanut Butter Manufacturing
311919 Other Snack Food Manufacturing
311920 Coffee and Tea Manufacturing
311930 Flavoring Syrup and Concentrate Manufacturing
311941 Mayonnaise, Dressing, and Other Prepared Sauce Manufacturing
311942 Spice and Extract Manufacturing
311991 Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing
311999 All Other Miscellaneous Food Manufacturing

What is NAICS 311

The Food Manufacturing subsector under NAICS code 311 encompasses industries that transform livestock and agricultural products into consumable food items. These establishments process raw materials, primarily of animal or vegetable origin, into intermediate or final products intended for human consumption. Businesses in this sector include a wide range of manufacturers specializing in bakery products, dairy, meat, seafood, fruits, vegetables, and other food items. Government agencies contract with these manufacturers to ensure a steady supply of nutritious, safe, and regulated food products for various programs and operations. The quality, safety, and compliance standards required for food products make these contracts critical to public health and mission success. This sector excludes beverage manufacturing, which is classified separately under NAICS code 312.

Industry Classification for NAICS 311

Industries in the Food Manufacturing subsector transform livestock and agricultural products into products for intermediate or final consumption. The industry groups are distinguished by the raw materials (generally of animal or vegetable origin) processed into food products.

The food products manufactured in these establishments are typically sold to wholesalers or retailers for distribution to consumers, but establishments primarily engaged in retailing bakery and candy products made on the premises not for immediate consumption are included.

Establishments primarily engaged in manufacturing beverages are classified in Subsector 312, Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing.

Breakdown for NAICS 311

  • Includes processing of raw animal and vegetable products into consumable food items.
  • Excludes beverage manufacturing, which falls under NAICS 312.
  • Covers bakeries, meat processors, dairy product manufacturers, and more.
  • Typical establishments sell products to wholesalers or retailers for consumer distribution.
  • Subject to rigorous food safety and regulatory compliance standards.
  • Supports government feeding programs and institutional food supply chains.

Included Activities for NAICS 311

  • Processing livestock into meat and meat products.
  • Manufacturing bakery goods including bread, cakes, and pastries.
  • Producing dairy products such as cheese, butter, and yogurt.
  • Canning and freezing fruits and vegetables.
  • Preparing snack foods and confectionery products.
  • Packaging food products for wholesale and retail distribution.
  • Implementing food safety and quality assurance protocols.
  • Supplying bulk and packaged food products for government contracts.

Business Types for NAICS 311

  • Meat processing plants
  • Commercial bakeries
  • Dairy product manufacturers
  • Fruit and vegetable processors
  • Snack and confectionery producers
  • Food packaging and labeling companies

Government Buyers for NAICS 311

Federal, state, and local government agencies frequently procure food products manufactured under NAICS 311 to support military food services, school meal programs, disaster relief efforts, correctional facilities, and institutional feeding operations. Agencies such as the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Agriculture (USDA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and state education departments require reliable suppliers of packaged, processed, and bulk food items to meet nutritional standards and logistical needs. These agencies prioritize contracts that ensure product safety, shelf-life stability, and compliance with regulatory requirements to support the health and welfare of their beneficiaries.

Contract Types & Procurement for NAICS 311

Contracts in the Food Manufacturing sector typically range from firm-fixed-price agreements for bulk food supply to indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts for ongoing provisioning needs. Procurement methods include competitive sealed bidding, negotiated acquisitions, and government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs). Contract values vary widely, from small local supply orders to large-scale multi-million dollar agreements supporting nationwide distribution. Additionally, contracts often require adherence to strict food safety standards such as HACCP and USDA certifications, with performance-based criteria to ensure product quality and timely delivery.

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